On April 16, the Atlanta Braves (5-12) continue their series against the Toronto Blue Jays (10-8) with Spencer Strider on the mound facing Chris Bassitt. After a split in the first two games, with the Braves winning 8-4 and the Blue Jays taking Game 2 6-3, today's matchup promises to be competitive. Gausman earned the win for Toronto with an impressive outing, while Strider returns from the IL, aiming to regain his form from a strong 2023 season.

The latest odds show the Braves favored at -147, with a total set at 8.0 runs. Betting insights suggest the Braves have rebounded well after losses, while the Blue Jays' games featuring Bassitt have often gone under the total. Expert predictions favor the Blue Jays to cover the spread at +1.5, anticipating a close contest.

The Rome Emperors are set to embrace nostalgia with their throwback uniforms for the 2025 season, honoring the 1974 Atlanta Braves. Each Thursday home game will showcase these eye-catching threads, which mirror the vintage designs worn by the Braves today. This season's excitement is heightened by the addition of Horacio Ramirez, a former major league pitcher with experience on multiple teams, who has taken the role of pitching coach. Ramirez holds a career record of 40-35 and a 4.65 ERA, with notable contributions during his time with the Braves in 2003 and 2005. The coaching staff also features manager Angel Flores and hitting coach Connor Justus, as they look to mentor the next generation of players.

Meanwhile, the Braves expect to remain a powerhouse within the MLB, building off their strong performance last season where they finished second in the American League East. The anticipated return of star players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider during the first half of the year adds to their championship aspirations.

The Atlanta Braves are eyeing free-agent starter Kyle Gibson as they seek to bolster their pitching depth for the upcoming season. With injuries hampering player availability, Gibson would provide significant stability in the rotation, allowing the Braves to rely on their returning key players like Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. This offseason has been relatively quiet for the Braves, with only Jurickson Profar joining the roster so far.

Gibson's recent track record includes 30 starts and nearly 170 innings pitched with a 4.24 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 2024, which aligns well with the Braves' current starters. Now tasked with managing an average pitching staff amidst injury concerns, the Braves need to weigh Gibson's projected $13.4 million salary against other options available on the market.

The Atlanta Braves are entering the 2025 season with mixed expectations following a challenging previous year and a quiet offseason. Despite these uncertainties, projections suggest a promising outlook for the team. Data from TJ Stats indicates that the Braves could lead the MLB with an impressive 108 ERA+, while their projected 3.86 ERA ranks them second overall, closely trailing the Seattle Mariners. Offensively, they are projected to achieve a 108 wRC+, placing them fourth among MLB teams.

These projections highlight the Braves' potential to be a top-five team in both pitching and offense, reminiscent of their performance in 2024 and the health of their lineup in 2023. The team has the opportunity to enhance their roster further, as they currently possess the talent to be selective in their signings. Key players such as Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider are expected to return, alongside Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies, who are anticipated to regain full strength. Given that the Braves won 89 games last season despite significant injuries, an improvement in 2025 seems plausible.